Ten Flemish figurines are located in a side room of the Rijksmuseum. They are pleurants – mourning figures – of the praalgraaf of Isabella of Bourbon, founded by her daughter.
The tombstone has been affected and moved several times, including by the iconoclast and the French occupation of Napoleon. Bart De Wever, historian, and former mayor of Antwerp, had the main part of the prent monument placed in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp in 2022. There are only three pleurants left of the original 24. The ten figurines in the Rijksmuseum were removed from the grave during the iconoclast and later ended up in the north. They appeared in Amsterdam in 1691 and have been in the Rijksmuseum since 1887.
In a lecture in Amsterdam this month, Bart De Wever – the current prime minister of Belgium – hinted at restitution.
For several reasons the Netherlands can make a gesture here.
First, there is currently a major movement going on to bring so-called looting art back to where it comes from. It’s not just about art from distant countries.
Secondly, it is good for our international relationship and the Netherlands shapes with acts how we treat each other in Europe as real partners and friends.
Finally, the historical value of Isabella in Flanders is estimated higher.
Let’s do something nice together from time to time, regardless of the political differences, right through the national political chaos. No matter how modest.
